This Swimming Hole Hike In North Carolina Leads To A Hidden Quarry Filled With Spring Water
After a hike on a hot summer day, few things feel better than a dip in some cold water – unless that dip takes place in an old rock quarry now filled with chilling spring water. If you’re up for an adventure, this swimming hole hike in North Carolina leads to a relatively hidden spot – hidden to all but the locals who are familiar with this dreamy, natural pool.
Before we continue; however, it’s worth noting that the NC Division of Parks and Recreation highly discourages swimming here and that the area is regularly patrolled by rangers. With that in mind, if you’re swimming and using the quarry in a manner that could be hazardous, you can bet a ranger will ask you to leave the area completely. Safety is everyone’s most important concern, so if you see someone not making smart decisions and they’re using the quarry in a way that could cause injury, we’re sure the rangers would appreciate a head’s up.
The enormous, four-acre quarry was created in the 1960s with the construction of I-85 in Durham.
It soon filled with spring water and since that time, generations of locals have made the two-mile hike through the woods just to spend a blissful day in the cold water.
To be clear, swimming here isn't condoned by the city, the county, or anyone else.
But people do it anyway and just use their common sense. Diving, especially, is not recommended. Anyone who's seen a quarry that's not filled with water knows quarries are filled with unexpected ledges and huge cut stones. Spending a day on top of the water here is always fun, but beware of underwater hazards.
Getting to Eno Rock Quarry involves a two-mile hike through the forest.
The journey begins on Cabelands Trail, which then veers off onto Eno Quarry Trail. Overall, the trek is an easy one with few elevation gains. Plan on spending 60-90 minutes getting to the quarry on foot.
Making the hike after a recent rainfall could mean some dicey creek crossings, so come prepared to get creative.
It will also mean getting a bit muddy. Eno Quarry isn't recommended for small kids, for obvious reasons. But you can bring your dog if it's kept on a leash.
After an hour or so of hiking, you'll encounter signage for Eno Quarry Trail.
Just remember to leave no trace so that when you return, this amazing spot is as nice as the last time you were here.
The trail to this natural swimming hole in North Carolina is approximately two miles. You’ll start your trek on Cabelands Trail and then veer off onto Eno Quarry Trail once you’re in the forest. The parking lot for the Cabelands trailhead is small, so arrive very early or late in the day to get a spot. No overflow parking is allowed on the road. Learn more about the Cabelands Trail to Eno Quarry Trail from this link on alltrails.com.
Parking lot for the trailhead Address: 36 Howe Street, Durham, NC, 27705
Exploring a swimming hole in the middle of the woods is like finding a needle in a haystack. For another hidden treasure, keep reading here to discover an emerald swimming lagoon hiding deep in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina.
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Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. General questions and FAM tours: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com.